He finally decided it was time to start his plan. Jack really didn't want to, because if the Autobots ever found out, he wasn't sure they'd ever forgive him. He made a show of staying in recharge as the weight next to him left, and came back some time later. He grimaced for real when digits flicked at him into 'waking'. He glared up at the Decepticon leader's smug face. "I'm not some pet you need to feed every morning," if this even was morning – there were no windows to the outside and it was space anyway so telling time was harder, "I could get my own energon."

Megatron sneered at him. "Yes, and I'm sure that route to the rations would lead you instead to Ratchet – for some no doubt foolhardy escape attempt."

Jack's helm fins twitched. He had thought of that, even if only Ratchet got out. Yet there was so many things that could go wrong – he knew where Ratchet was stored, but not where any escape pods were and they'd waste time trying to find them. "I would've." When the Decepticon's optics narrowed, something like surprise flashing in them – Jack found some petty satisfaction in causing even that.

The wolf Predacon managed a snide grin. "And I totally would have gotten away with it because your troops are dumb as rocks, and at least three of your officers are horny idiots."

"So that was your great plan? Seduce either Predaking or Knock Out into helping you?" Megatron questioned derisively.

Jack sneered back this time. "Don't forget Shockwave; even you admitted he wanted me. Though after you threatened him, I suppose he'd be harder to crack than the other two." He rolled his eyes. "I glance in Predaking's direction and he's at attention, and a few compliments would get Knock Out's ego bolstered and he'd be back to wanting to 'detangle wires' with me."

"Such thought you've put into this; perhaps you're not as disgusted by their attention now either." Megatron smirked.

Jack growled. "Don't read too much into it. I'd rather see you lot all dead than be chained to any one of you."

The silver mech's smirk grew, sharp denta glinting as he leaned down. He set the energon cube by Jack's side, and rested his servos on the berth edge. "Now isn't that a fine image; you chained to my throne," one servo rose and traced along Jack's neck, "with a pretty collar made of scrapped Autobot metal; which color would suit you more – Arcee, or Prime?"

Jack snarled and snapped at the mech's wrist. The very little give didn't even let him graze the silver mech's wrist, let alone bite him. "Bastard." He spat. "It's always about crushing Optimus, isn't it?" he hissed, and Megatron narrowed his optics. "Is that why you're so determined to turn Earth into a new Cybertron? Just to spite him?"

Megatron scowled, and gripped his jaw tightly. "Do not think to presume anything, pest. My reasons go beyond such frivolity. Optimus will fall by my hand, of that there is no doubt. Earth's core is Unicron, and I will have both it and Cybertron under my control."

Jack found his way in. He hoped it worked. "You don't have Cybertron under your control though." That got him a glare, and Jack continued despite the tightening on his jaw. "When I was there, it was a husk barely holding together. I really doubt it's changed much." He forced out a laugh. "And you're seriously going to waste this probably once in a lifetime chance to terraform another planet than save your home?"

His laugh was abruptly halted by the servo on his jaw grabbing his neck and squeezing his throat, static spitting from his voicebox. Megatron slammed his head down on the berth, and got uncomfortably close, optics boring into his and glowing intensely.

"I'm certain you're aware of how easy it would be for me to crush your voicebox in my servo. To finally end your ceaseless prattle and back talk."

Jack remained still, because he knew it was true. His vents belied his real fear, exhaling deeply as his spark pulsed hot in his chest. He knew his plan was dangerous, he just didn't expect a threat so soon. His voice was quiet as he managed to say, "You like hearing me beg."

The silver mech narrowed his optics, grip never loosing but it didn't tighten either. His mouth curled into another sharp grin. "And does this mean you've come to enjoy riling me up?" he leaned in even closer, almost on top of him. "Have you finally become accustomed to my rough affection?"

Affection? Jack was sure that word was supposed to be 'attention', but he wasn't going to blow this over a misplaced word. "Just because my body responds to you doesn't mean I like it."

"Well, you can certainly learn during the nanite administrations." Megatron retorted.

Jack grimaced. "You got your spawn, just use a needle."

"And deny myself your humiliation? Why would I do that?" The silver mech grinned sharply.

Jack's mouth pressed into a tight line, before he exhaled deeply once more, trying to keep calm. "Then I'm going to be an even bigger problem once this spawn is born." His optics narrowed in scorn. "You're going to not only waste your chance to save Cybertron, but you're going to destroy my home and everyone I love. You want to fuck me after that – you'd better make yourself some better armour."

He saw it then, that flash of insight in the Decepticon's optics, the realization Jack 'accidentally' let slip. Megatron smirked. "Such a soft-sparked fool you are. Giving up your weaknesses so readily."

Jack grunted as Megatron let go of him. He didn't say anything as the mech untied his wrists, his optic ridges furrowing as the silver mech tugged him off the berth. He avoided knocking the energon cube over on his way up. It was only when they were out in the hall that his confusion settled in. They weren't going in the direction of either lab or medbay, but down a hall Jack had vague recollections of.

His shoulders stiffened as they stopped in front of the hangar, clenching his bound fists. "Why are we here?"

Megatron didn't speak as he let the door slide open, and tugged Jack with him. The open space of the kennel seemed small compared to the large dragon resting in it. Predaking stirred, optics glowing bright once he spotted Jack.

The dragon transformed, and Predaking's optics were locked on Jack. His ridges pulled together at the energon rope around his wrists. "My liege, is it still necessary to keep Ripclaw restrained?"

Jack snarled at the name. "Don't call me that!"

Megatron ignored his outburst. "Yes, Predaking, it is. More now than ever. Ripclaw is having trouble adjusting to being sparked. The restraints are a precaution."

Jack shot the silver mech a dirty look, and he didn't know which of them to hate more in the moment. Megatron for sprouting such nonsense, or Predaking for seeming to believe it. "That's a load of-"

"I must speak with Ripclaw privately. I wish to show him something." Megatron cut in swiftly. "We will not be long."

Predaking glanced between them, and for once he almost looked to question it – before he just nodded. "As you command, my liege."

Megatron chuckled once the other Predacon departed. "Such obedience – you could learn to take note."

Jack sneered. "Then make Shockwave have Predaking be viable to breed and let me go!" He grunted as a sharp tug sent him crashing into the silver mech.

"Oh, if it were that easy, I'd simply have both of you already on it." Megatron retorted. He grabbed Jack's wrist and pulled him deeper into the hangar, towards the wide expanse showing the stars and moon and the Earth. And Megatron pointed to one spot on the Earth in particular. "That continent there – whatever you call it, the Autobot's base – that's where you lived too, wasn't it?"

Jack stiffened. He thought of his mother and his friends and the Autobots. "What of it?" he asked carefully.

Megatron gave him a sharp, unpleasant smile. "I've been deciding whether or not that should be the first or the last place the terraforming covers."

Jack's optics widened. "W-what?"

The Decepticon chuckled. "First, and the Autobots are in dismay but the shock and horror might wear out too soon. Last, and the dread of their failure as they rush to futilely save their other pets only to end if catastrophe." His optics narrowed, some challenging, smug glint in them. "Unless you have something you'd like to add?"

Jack's plating tightened, his tail wrapping around himself. He'd been hoping to steer Megatron's attention from Earth, but it felt like he'd gotten played too. His shoulders tensed, and he forced himself to keep the mech's stare. "Cyberforming Earth would be a mistake."

Megatron raised an optic ridge. "Is that so?" he smirked. "Well, why don't you convince me then?"

Jack was sure the plating in his servos were going to need to be patched by how tight his fists got. His jaw clenched for a moment, before he nodded. "Optimus would save Cybertron, if he had the Omega Lock. You're not Optimus though, you'd rather waste this chance to spite him than revive your home planet." The silver mech no longer looked amused, his expression starting to turn dangerous. Jack held firm, despite how much his spark pulsed. "No amount of 'Unicron being the Earth' is going to justify it's all about your ego.

"Still," his voice softened, "if what you want is a real power trip, imagine this; you revive Cybertron, something even Optimus couldn't do, and all your followers see you as the great leader who saved their world. Meanwhile, the Autobots are all stuck on Earth, not knowing what is going on and left with the dread and uncertainty of whether they've just lost the war and their home a second time."

The Decepticon's expression was unreadable for a long while. Jack didn't dare speak again, in case he'd managed to screw up. Then Megatron clutched his chin, grip firm but not tight as he tilted his head up. "Such a silver tongue you have. Does your loyalty to your wretched planet mean more than to your loyalty to the Autobots?"

Jack gritted his denta for a moment. If it keeps both of the Earth and the Autobots safe, I'll say yes, you bastard, he vented harshly. "I don't want to lose my home – I thought that might be obvious given you're going to destroy it to remake Cybertron."

Now the grip tightened a little, and Jack winced. Megatron narrowed his optics, before his expression smoothed back out. "Why don't we make a deal then?"

Jack started. "A-a deal?" he asked incredulously.

"Your argument has certainly given me some new insight, and the threat of holding Ratchet's safety over you has kept you from acting out too much." Jack scowled, before Megatron smirked and the wolf Predacon's helm fins twitched in alert. "So here's my proposal; I'll leave your precious Earth alone if you submit to me completely – no escape attempts, no attacking, and you will receive any and all nanite injections without complaint."

Jack's plating felt even tighter. His dignity, his autonomy, his fucking life – for Earth. For his family. "How do I know you'd keep your word?"

Megatron scoffed. "Have I not been doing exactly that? Ratchet still remains unharmed, after all."

Jack vented again. "And you'll let him go once you get a functioning Omega Lock? As in you'll let him go alive?" he pressed.

Megatron narrowed his optics. "Yes. After all, someone has to tell the Autobots of their crushing defeat." He chuckled.

Jack didn't reply. He let the thought stir just a bit more. There's no taking it back. I'm sorry, everyone. If I can keep you safe, I will no matter what, thought. He squared his shoulders. "Deal."

"A wise decision." Megatron dragged him back to the door, and let the hangar close before pulling him into the hall. "Now, why don't go have another chat with the good doctor about working on the Synth-En."